Heyooo, Happy Monday! Wanna know what is so awesome? I seriously spoke going on the mountain last week into existence! I got invited to go boarding today with my cousin who is visiting from Ontario! What a treat! Seriously guys, LOA works  (law of attraction).  Maybe I will make a post about that next week…

Okay Shannon, get back on track. This year, I wanted to make it a goal to read at least one book a month! What was really cool is I found a group of girls online who wanted to do the same. Most are from the states, but we all read a book, and then send it off to our buddy! We are just on our first book, so I can’t give my opinion on it just yet, BUT I do want to give you a few of my favourite books from over the years that I really think will help you in whatever you got going on, or whatever stage you are in.  So, I will get right to it.

Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man | Steve Harvey
Okay, this is mostly for the ladies… but guys maybe you should read this one too! I read this shit before they made it into the movie, and of course, like everything, the book is way better. It is basically a bible of all men’s tricks and how they think! I read this almost 10 years ago, and I learned so much from it.  Lots of my friends ask me how I get guys to do what I want them to do and honestly, I think it is from this book, LOL! Totally not joking! Steve Harvey (love him) is an amazing author- he is funny and straight to the point. If you are finding that you are always ending up with the wrong guy or heartbroken- READ THIS BOOK. I will leave you with one of my favourite quotes:

A man fishes for two reasons: he’s either sports fishing or fishing to eat, which means he’s either going to try and catch the biggest fish he can, take a picture of it, admire it with his buddies and toss it back to sea. Or he’s going to take that fish on home, scale it, fillet it, toss it in some cornmeal, fry it up, and put it on his plate. This, I think, is a great analogy for how men seek out women. -Steve Harvey

Strengths Finder  2.0 | Tom Rath
Ok, this isn’t really much of a read- however, still an important book. When we were younger, we were taught that if we weren’t good at something, to practice the shit out of it until we were. I remember I HATED MATH (still do), so my parents got me a tutor, I worked extra hard, and I tried and tried. Guess where that got me? Still a C-. LOL. This book argues, why work on our weaknesses when we will only slightly improve? We should be working with our strengths to really excel. You take a test, and you learn what your strengths are and how to incorporate them into your life. My five strengths are: Harmony, Futuristic, Relator, Empathy and Positivity. I could give you the in dept definition, or you could just google them 😉 . If you want be a better people person, I would suggest this for sure.

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People | Stephen Covey
This one is gold- and one that I will continue to read and read and read. If you want to be successful, this is usually on the top of everyones list. In short, the 7 habits are…. HA, going to have to read the book! 😛 Ok, how about I  let you know a habit that has stuck with me since: “Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood”. Yes, it has stayed with me for a while, however, in my moments of weakness, I need to come back and remember this one. It will help you in arguments or disagreements. Most arguments stem from someone not being heard, so usually this habit makes any situation better. I would suggest buying the book and reading it, but if you are lazy (like me sometimes) there is a great youtube video here. 

The Compound Effect | Darren Hardy
Dis one…dis one right here is smart AF. Daren Hardy, who is the owner of Success Magazine is also the author of this book. Honestly, a life changing book. No JOKE! The principle of the compound effect is simple- what you do overtime compounds. Seems pretty obvious, but I hadn’t really thought about it that way. For example; you might be fit as a fiddle! You are young and hot and can eat Mcdonald’s everyday without gaining a pound! Well that is awesome for now, but, all that Mcdonald’s and unhealthy eating will wear and tear on your body- inside and out. Although you can maybe go a few weeks, or even years eating like a pig in shit, eventually it is going to compound and you are going to be fucked. LOL! That is just one example- but you can apply it to all things in life. Here are a few of my favourite quotes from the book.

“Everything in your life exists because you first made a choice about something. Choices are at the root of every one of your results. You make your choices, and then your choices make you.”

“A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else.”

“Step by step, day by day, your choices will shape your actions until they become habits where practice makes them permanent.”

The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck | Mark Manson
This one should really be first LOL! Although I did not physically read this one, I listened to it a few times on Audible- if you don’t have time to read books (like if you drive everywhere, everyday) listening to audio books in the car instead of the radio is an awesome idea. Seriously, this book is RAD- and has really so many amazing points to it! Please go read it. Mark Manson was originally a blogger, with this title being one blog he wrote that got major views. So, he decided to write a book about it. I am just so happy he did…they should make this mandatory in schools LOL. The basic premise of the book is to not care so god dam much about everything, and really only care about what is important to you. What is really going to matter at the end of the day, or in five years time? Here’s one of my favs:

“You and everyone you know are going to be dead soon. And in the short amount of time between here and there, you have a limited amount of fucks to give. Very few, in fact. And if you go around giving a fuck about everything and everyone without conscious thought or choice- well, then you’re going to get fucked.”

What a GENIUS.

5 Love Languages |Gary Chapman
So, as you can see, my list is a little serious, and a little funny. I know that not everyone who reads is into personal development ( you can say I have an issue… I just love learning and improving my game), and again this book could fall under PD, but in all honestly, its a goodie if you want to have a long, healthy and happy relationship. Not just romantical either 😉  Yes, I said romantical.

In a nut shell, everyone loves and shows love differently. You might be showering your friend or partner with gifts, yet you are banging your head against the wall because you feel she doesn’t appreciate you! WELL DINGUS, maybe she likes it when you take out the trash, or say how hot she looks in those lululemons. It’s all about the language. There are 5, obvs; Acts of Service, Quality Time, Gifts, Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch. If you haven’t done this quiz (have you been living under a rock?) I highly recommend doing it- and if you don’t want to read a whole book on it, the quiz is right here. You’re welcome.

Well peeps- there you go. Honestly, I have a bigger list- again mostly are in the realm of self improvement and business. I am trying to expand my brain this year with books I wouldn’t normally read- I am hoping this book club will bring a few gooders. Some more of my favourite include:

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
2. The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale
3. How Successful People Lead by John C Maxwell
4. First Steps To Wealth by Dani Johnson
5. The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte
6. Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov
7. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Here are some I am hoping to read this year:

1. The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Farris
2. Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
3. Crushing It  by Gary Vaynerchuk
4. Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
5. The Success Principles by Jack Canfield 

Do you have any books that you love that weren’t on my list?? Please share the love! I Hope this list helped you and if you read one that I recommended- let me know how you liked it! Until next week,

Namaste